Plug inserting device for open ended containers



A. w. WELLER 3,057,135

PLUG INSERTING DEVICE FOR OPEN ENDED CONTAINERS Oct. 9, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 18, 1960 PLUG INSERTING DEVICE FOR OPEN ENDED CONTAINERS Filed April 18. 1960 A. W. WELLER Oct. 9, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent 3,057,135 PLUG INSERTING DEVICE FOR OPEN ENDED CONTAINERS Arthur W. Weller, Brooklyn, N.Y., assignor to Resina Automatic Machinery (10., Inc., Brooklyn, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Apr. 18, 1960, Ser. No. 22,737 1 Claim. (Cl. 53315) This invention relates generally to the field of capping devices for positioning a closure upon a container at relatively high speed, in which a supply of closures is fed in synchronism with a plurality of open-ended containers travelling on a conveyor belt or similar means, the closures and the containers meeting at a point where the closure is secured to the container. Devices of this type are generally known in the art, and the invention lies in the specific constructional details which permit the use of types of closures heretofore not suitable for use in conjunction with such devices.

In recent years, the use of polyethylene containers or bottles has been extensive for those applications in which the contents are in liquid form, and which are dispensed as a spray. So-called squeeze bottles have the advantage of being substantially cheaper than aerosol type containers, and have an added advantage in that they are re-fillable by the user when exhausted.

Containers of this type are sealed at the mouth portion thereof by a small plug, preferably of polyethylene or other synthetic resinous material, the plug having a small bore therein through which the contents of the bottle is ejected in the form of a spray upon the sudden exertion of pressure against the sides of the container. As contrasted with other forms of closures which engage the outer surface of the neck portion of the container through a threaded or bayonet-type interconnection, these plugs fit inside the neck to contact the inner surface thereof. In most capping devices, the alignment of the closure with respect to the neck of the container has been accomplished by contact of the outer surface of the neck with the inner surface of the closure, resulting in "a rocking motion in which the closure falls upon the neck. Where the closure must be positioned within the neck, such action is not available, so that heretofore the positioning of such closures has not been accomplished on a high speed basis.

It is therefore among the principal objects of the present invention to provide an improved capping device construction of the class described in which the above mentioned disadvantages have been substantially eliminated.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of a closure mechanism possessed of the above advantages which is adapted to utilize the engagement of the outer surface of the neck of a container to ultimately position the plug within the opening in the neck of the container as in prior art devices, by effecting a controlled pivoting movement which will result in placing the axis of the plug in parallel relation with respect to the axis of the opening.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of improved structure of the class described which may be incorporated, with minor modification, into existing capping machinery.

A feature of the invention lies in the fact that the novel mechanism is relatively simple in nature, whereby the same may be produced at reasonably low cost, with consequent wide sale, distribution and use.

These objects and features, as well as other incidental ends and advantages, will more fully appear in the progress of the following disclosure, and be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings, to which reference will be made in "ice the specification, similar reference characters have been employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary view in elevation of an embodiment of the invention.

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary end elevational view thereof.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the chute element which comprises a part of the embodiment.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view showing one type of plug which may be used in conjunction with the embodiment.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view showing a second type of plug which may be employed in conjunction with the embodiment.

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view showing a third type of plug which may be used in conjunction with the emvbodiment.

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged fragmentary view in elevation, partly in section, showing the contact of a container moving along a conveyor belt with the lowermost plug disposed within the chute element, and just prior to release of the plug by the chute element.

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary schematic view showing the pivotal action of the plug upon the edge of the neck of the container immediately after release of the same from the chute element.

FIGURE 9 is a schematic view showing a subsequent position in which the axis of the plug has been made parallel with that of the axis of the opening in which the plug will be disposed.

FIGURE 10 is a schematic view showing the insertion of the plug into the opening in the neck of the container.

FIGURE 11 is a fragmentary schematic view showing camming means employed to further press the plug into the container.

In accordance with the invention, the device, generally indicated by reference character It includes a conveyor link belt element 11, first and second neck grip belt elements 12 and 13, respectively, an overhead presser belt element 14, and a plug chute element 15 which may be loaded by means not shown with any of the plugs 16, 17 or 18 (see FIGURES 4 to 6, inclusive).

The conveyor link belt element 11 may be of conventional type, including a first pulley 20, a second pulley 21 and a belt 22 which may be of continuous rubber type, or linked type, driven by sprocket means (not shown).

The first and second neck grip belt elements 12 and 13 are substantially similar, each including first and second vertical shafts 25 and 26 which support a gripping belt 27 on pulleys 28. As best seen in FIGURE 2, the space between the belts 27 is slightly less than the outer diameter of the neck 33 of a container 34 so as to exert a firm gripping action thereupon.

The overhead presser belt element 14 includes first and second pulleys 37 disposed for rotation about a horizontal axis and supporting a belt 36 on a slight incline. An optionally employed inclined rail 38 may be positioned immediately ahead of the presser belt element 14 where very tall plugs, as exemplified by that seen in FIGURE 5, are employed. The elements 11 to 14 are driven in synchronism, such that the linear speed of the contacting belts 22 and 36 are identical. Resilient means 39 maintain the belt 36 under tension, and provide a yielding downward force preventing damage to the device in the event that a plug becomes jammed within the neck 33 of an individual container 34.

The cap or plug chute element 15 is of generally conventional configuration, and includes an upper portion 42 and a lower portion 43 defined by rails 44 and 45, the

inner surfaces 46 and 47 of which are spaced at distance 7 corresponding to the width of the insertable portion of the plug 1618. The upper surfaces 48 and 49 support the flange portions of the plugs. A gating means 50 includes left and righthand gripping means 51 and 52, respectively, which are supported from the chute element from points of pivotal mounting 53 and 54, respectively. A spring 55 urges the means 51 and 52 yieldingly together to permit the lowermost plug to be released upon engagement with the neck of a container 34.

Disposed above the upper surfaces 48 and 49 of the rails 44 and 45, respectively, is a mounting bracket 57 having a first mounting stud 8 and a second mounting stud 59. The stud 59 has a threaded end 60 engaged by a nut member 61 and surrounded by a compressive coil spring 62. The studs 58 and 59 movably support an applicator finger 64 having a mounting portion 65 and a plug engaging end portion 66. As best seen in FIG- URES 7 to 10, inclusive, the end portion 66 includes a first plug contact surface 67, the plane of which lies substantially parallel to the path of travel of plugs within the chute element, and a second plug contact surface 68, the plane of which normally lies parallel to the path of travel of the containers 34. The surfaces 67 and 68 meet in a line 69, the axis of which is perpendicular to the path of travel of said containers. In the normal case, the angle subtended by the surfaces 67 and 68 will be approximately l3S, although subtended angles of greater or lesser magnitude may be employed where required.

Referring to FIGURE 4, the plug 16 illustrated, is of a solid type, having an upper surface 71, a lower surface 72, a cylindrical surface 73, an upper fiange 74, and a chamfered lower edge 75.

The plug 17, shown in FIGURE 5, is of hollow configuration, including an upper planar member 78, and a hollow cylindrical member 79. A small spray hole 80 extends through the plane of the member 78, and provides the only communication with the outside atmosphere when the outer cylindrical surface 81 is engaged within the neck 33 of the container 34.

The plug 18 is generally similar, and is used with con tainers having a relatively wider neck, and includes an upper planar member 82, a hollow cylindrical member 83 having an outer cylindrical surface 85, and a similar spray hole 84.

Operation of the device using plugs 17 or 18, or those of similar configurations is as illustrated in FIGURES 7 to 11, inclusive. In the first instance, the outer surface of the neck 33 enters the hollow cylindrical member 79 while the plug is maintained by the gating means 50 and applicator finger 64. With subsequent rightward movement, as seen in FIGURE 8, the plug pivots about the line 69 and about the edge of the neck 33. Referring to FIG- URE 9, when the plug has reached an orientation in which its principal axis lies parallel to that of the neck, the annular surface 87 at the lower end of the cylindrical member 79 lies upon the annular surface 88 of the neck,

and further pivotal movement is prevented. Subsequent L this force being transmitted through the second contact surface 63. Subsequent rightward movement as seen in FIGURE 11 results in bringing the upper surface of the plug into contact with the overhead presser belt element 14 which, being disposed on a slight incline, results in completely seating the plug Within the neck.

When using plugs of the type shown in FIGURE 4 and indicated by reference character 16, the action is substantially identical, but in this case only point contact occurs between the upper edge of the neck 33 of the container 34 and the lower surface 72 of the plug. Since this engagement takes place while the first contact surface 67 is in complete engagement with the plug (see FIG- URE 7), and pivotal movement occurs about the line 69, which, as has been mentioned, lies perpendicular to the axis of movement of the containers, the plug is adequately supported to maintain itself in proper position without any tendency of the same to slip to either side of the container.

It is to be understood that it is not considered that the invention lies within the precise details of structure shown and set forth in this specification, for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.

What is claimed is:

In a device for seating plug closures within the necks of containers, a conveyor belt element, a pair of container neck gripping belt elements disposed on either side of the path of travel of said containers on said conveyor belt element, and positioned to movably engage the neck portions thereof, a closure feeding chute disposed between said neck-gripping belt elements and having gating means at the lower end thereof lying in the path of travel of successive neck portions of containers, said chute having a principal axis disposed at a substantial angle with respect to the principal axis of said conveyor belt element, a plug closure applicator finger movably mounted on said chute in the area of said gating means, said finger having a first planar guiding surface normally lying in such position as to form a continuation of the lower end of said chute, resilient means urging said finger to a normal position, said finger including a second planar guiding surface disposed at a substantial angle with respect to said first surface and interconnecting with said first surface in a straight line corrnnon to both said first and second surfaces, said line being disposed perpendicular to the path of travel of successive containers on said conveyor belt element, said second surface lying in a plane parallel to said path of travel when said finger is in normal position, whereby successive plug closures traveling down said chute to said gating means slidably contact said first guiding surface until contacted by the necks of containers, and upon such contact pivot about said straight line to a position in which they are engaged by said second surface, following which said plug closures slide upon said second surface While progressively entering the neck of a respective container.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,041,891 White May 26, 1936 2,053,763 Brinton Sept. 8, 1936 2,876,605 McElroy et a1. Mar. 10, 1959 

